Navigating the Complexities of Stroke

Important terms appear in bold and are defined on the page at first mention. True patient stories are included and shed light on human dimensions of stroke rehab. Covers themes that are often overlooked including the effect of strokes on the family and the community. New to this Edition: New chapter on stroke in children and young adults. More material on obesity and stroke, metabolic syndromes, imaging, and the benefits of physical activity. New chapter on treatments to prevent stroke and recurrent strokes. Expanded data on recovery from stroke Expanded information on what to expect after stroke.

Louis R. Caplan, M.D., is Professor of Neurology at Harvard University and Senior Neurologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. He has written or edited forty books, including Stroke and The Effective Clinical Neurologist.

l. Introduction: Why is stroke so important?
2. What does the brain look like and how does it work?
3. How does the body bring blood to the brain? The anatomy of the heart and brain-supplying blood vessels.
4. What is a stroke? What are the different kinds of stroke?
5. What are the medical conditions that cause strokes?
6. Strokes and cerebrovascular conditions in the young
7. What are the different symptoms of stroke? What abnormalities do doctors look for and find in stroke patients?
8. What are risk factors for stroke and how can they be reduced?
9. How can doctors tell what caused a stroke? What tests are used to evaluate individuals who may have had a stroke?
10. What treatments are available to treat acute stroke patients?
11. Complications in stroke patients
12. What are some of the disabilities and handicaps that remain after a stroke?
13. How does recovery from stroke occur? How can recovery be improved? What is rehabilitation? Where is it performed and by whom?
14. How does one person's stroke affect others?
15. What does the future hold?
16. Case summaries